Chapter 31
Dominic
There were pain relievers and a huge electrolyte drink on the nightstand when I got out of the shower. I don’t even like the red drinks, but I drank it with a smile because she brought them for me.
At least we know my wife isn’t trying to kill me. I thought it might be a possibility after our morning activity. Death by running. But she left out these to help me.
When I walk to my office, the door is ajar. I’m furious and ready to fire someone, until I step inside. Until I see who, or rather what, is inside.
Vova is sitting on my desk with a mischievous grin. Since when can cats open doors? What the fuck?
I look around the room for any shoes that could get pissed in since he’s done it with every pair I leave out.
He doesn’t do it to Katerina’s, so I know he’s purposefully targeting me.
It’s unacceptable to have such disobedience towards me in my own home.
But Katerina won’t let me get rid of it, so I just endure silently.
Well silently except when I bitch to her about it.
When I don’t see any shoes, I take a deep breath. I approach my desk slowly, apprehensively. I don’t want this day to get worse by having a cat attack me.
But he just looks at me cockily.
This little bastard did something in here. I’m certain of it.
I continue to survey my office, but nothing seems to be amiss. I finally take my seat, but only after patting it down for piss. I’m pleasantly surprised when there isn’t any.
After only a few minutes, there’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I mindlessly say.
Stefan walks in, then smiles at the cat. He pets the damn creature behind his ears, and the motherfucking traitor purrs for him.
“You’re such a sweet boy, Vova,” Stefan coos at the fucking cat. And the cat preens. What a bastard. I’m the one who’s giving him such a lavish lifestyle! Why doesn’t he like me!
“What do you want?” I spit out at Stefan.
“I wanted to remind you that Viktor will be here in half an hour.” Stefan’s smile drops as he steps away from the cat.
“Fuck. I forgot.” This day just went from bad to terrible. Viktor is the last person I want to see.
“You need to have this meeting. It should be a quick one. Just a post-treaty check in,” Stefan reminds me.
“I know,” I grumble.
“Does Katerina know he’s coming?” Stefan asks after a moment.
I search his eyes for a deeper meaning. Why is he asking about my wife?
“Why would she know?” I’m skeptical of Stefan now.
“Because she may want to see her father?” Stefan gives me a confused look, probably trying to decipher my irritation.
“Oh.” He’s right. I should tell her. But something in me doesn’t want to. We’ve gotten into a good rhythm, and I don’t want Viktor messing that up. I don’t want his presence to remind her that this all started because of a treaty.
My watch pings that Viktor’s arriving early.
“Let’s go,” I tell Stefan as we walk to the front door.
I take a deep breath and put on my stoic mask. I can’t let it crack. And I know I won’t. Viktor doesn’t have the power over me that his daughter does. She’s the only one who can evoke my true feelings.
Harold opens the door and in walks Viktor. I approach with my hand out and shake his.
“My son-in-law. How’s married life treating you?” His grin is laid back. There’s no threat or concern in his words. It’s like he doesn’t even care about his daughter.
“We’re doing well. Katerina’s been,” perfect, “more than I expected.”
I keep my face neutral despite the smile threatening at the thought of my beautiful wife and just how unexpected she’s been.
But Viktor’s eyes darken. He doesn’t seem happy with my response.
“If she’s not behaving, I will talk to her. Sometimes she requires tough love for obedience. I can tame the wench.” The glint in his eyes has my hackles raising. I know something’s not right between them.
“That won’t be necessary.” I take a deep breath and unclench my fists before I’m tempted to meet his face with them. He called my wife a fucking wench. That’s unacceptable.
But she’s his daughter. I probably just don’t understand a father-daughter relationship. But I just can’t picture Roman ever speaking of his daughters in such a way.
“Hmm,” he hums in acknowledgment.
I don’t like that he didn’t agree to leave her alone. I don’t want him anywhere near her. But he’s her father, so I won’t stand between them. I just don’t trust him. Not even with her.
“Let’s go into my office.” I lead us there.
When I open the door, the cat jumps out with a fierce battle cry. I sidestep, but it’s unnecessary. He’s not coming after me. He launches himself at Viktor viciously. He’s biting and scratching. My good boy.
“This mudak!” Viktor curses, trying to get free.
I guess when she calls me that it isn’t a compliment. I almost smile at my wife’s crude, Russian nickname for me when Viktor kicks the cat.
Vova shrieks and runs behind my legs.
“Don’t touch my cat,” I bark at Viktor. I’m oddly protective of the feline. I bend down and pick him up. He curls into my chest, but keeps his eyes pinned on Viktor.
Viktor sneers at him as he brushes off his suit.
“I’m relieved to be rid of that pest. Get it out of here!” Viktor marches into my office after ordering me around.
I pet the good boy behind his ears a few times until the hair on his back lays down, then I place him on the ground.
“Go find Katerina. She’ll take care of you,” I tell him softly, then stand.
I follow Stefan into my office and offer Viktor a drink. Unfortunately, he accepts, so I pour three glasses.
I offer his guard one, but he remains stationed outside the door, so I hand the third to Stefan.
“Let’s talk business, son,” Viktor says in a condescending tone.
“Dom will do,” I tell him through gritted teeth. I am not his son, no matter my relationship with his daughter.
“Alright. Dominic, I–” Viktor starts, but I cut him off.
“Dom,” I correct him sharply.
The only person who calls me Dominic is my wife. I don’t think she even realizes it. I didn’t mean to introduce myself with my full name when we met, but I’m glad I did. Now the name is reserved for her.
“Dom,” he hisses out, “I wanted to meet in person as a sign of good faith. We’ve upheld our end perfectly. I’m glad this alliance has been mutually beneficial.”
“We’ve noticed your behavior, and we appreciate it.” I nod my head in agreement.
As we discuss trivial details, I notice Viktor become more tense. His eyes keep darting to the window as if he’s looking for something… or someone.
“Is there something wrong?” I ask him.
“I must confess, I had an ulterior motive in coming here. I wish to see my daughter.” His eyes bear into mine in a challenge.
I’m not going to say no, but something about it bothers me. While it’s a normal request, it’s odd. Katerina is free to leave whenever she’d like. She’s free to meet her father. So why is he sneaking his way into our home just to see her? Maybe she doesn’t realize she’s allowed to?
“Of course. I’ll call her in here now.” I tell him through gritted teeth. I don’t like being fooled. I knew this meeting was a farce. I knew when he insisted I host that it was a trap. But I didn’t listen to my instincts.
“I’d like to speak to her privately. You know, father-to-daughter.” His sleezy grin makes me uneasy.
I nod in agreement, then tell Stefan to go get her. He shoots me a worried look, and it concerns me that he feels hesitant too.
A few long minutes later, my beautiful wife walks through the office doors. I shoot her a smile, but it drops at her expression. She’s a few shades too pale, and her posture is ramrod straight. She seems worried. No, she seems like the weak, timid porcelain doll she used to be.
“Hello, Katya.” Viktor’s tone may be endearing, but his eyes are hard. “Why don’t you give us the room?”
“Of course.” I sneak a glance at Katerina and almost call this all off and demand he leaves. She looks like a shell of herself.
I lightly touch her back on my way out, a silent show of support, and her demeanor changes.
I see her shoulders pull back as her fists clench. I see her become the fighter I respect. It fills me with relief. She’ll be just fine in there.
But just in case she needs me, I’m standing outside the door listening the whole time.